RFI 72051420RFI00005 - VZLA REINTEGRATION IDIQ.pdf

USAID/COLOMBIA REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FOR THE VENEZUELA

RESPONSE AND INTEGRATION IDIQ

Posting Date: April 24, 2020

Response Due Date: May 11, 2020

Reference Number 72051419RFI00005

Point of Contact Miguel Atuesta, matuesta@usaid.gov

Dear Partners:

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only as defined in FAR 15.201(e) to obtain information and stakeholder feedback. USAID/Colombia is issuing this RFI for interested organizations to provide comments, opinions and recommendations on the concepts and approaches for the future activity currently titled, “Venezuela Response and Integration (VRI) Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)” Contract and its initial proposed task order (TO) “Migration Management” detailed below. USAID/Colombia intends to issue one (1) single holder IDIQ contract. This is an RFI and not a Request for Proposals (RFP). In addition, this RFI is a preliminary call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) and capability to implement the activity.

The main purpose of this RFI is to determine the soundness and robustness of the conceptual design, as well as to incorporate new, innovative ideas. Please submit your feedback regarding the desired results outlined in the concept (the “what”) rather than describing how your organization would propose to achieve the results (the “how”). Below are guiding questions, not all of which need to be answered in your feedback. Conversely, incorporation of any feedback is subject to internal Mission discussions and approval.

GUIDING QUESTIONS

1. What do you consider the strengths and weaknesses of the concept and why?

2. Are the proposed objectives and intermediate results strategic, sufficient, and relevant to achieve stability in areas in Colombia impacted by migration from Venezuela? Do they respond to and mitigate potential social, political, and economic disruption of sustained mass migration in Colombia, including resiliency to withstand shock events, such as pandemics (COVID-19)?

3. Are the proposed targets, objectives and intermediate results measurable and achievable?

4. Are there any targets, objectives, and/or results that you would suggest the Mission consider changing, eliminating, and/or including? Why? How?

5. Does the proposed concept allow for flexibility, adaptation, and innovation?

6. Are the proposed targets and objectives achievable in a five-year period?

7. Do you have any comments regarding geography or suggestions for alternate geographies and why?

8. Does the proposed concept facilitate integration and complementarity with other programs operating in the same geographies and all levels of the Colombian government?

mailto:matuesta@usaid.gov

72051420RFI00005 VENEZUELA RESPONSE AND INTEGRATION IDIQ

9. Do you have any comments regarding future assistance in Venezuela, under this proposed concept?

10. Are there any key non-traditional stakeholders not mentioned in the concept that you would recommend including?

RFI FORMAT

Interested parties should provide a short document addressing the concept, issues, and considerations discussed in Attachment A. Responses are limited to five (5) pages. Do not submit any proposals at this time; only information requested in this RFI will be reviewed.

Responses will be treated as confidential. Any organization interested in participating in this activity should also include a short EOI, not to exceed two (2) pages, in the response, including organizational capability to implement the activities.

Comments and EOIs must be submitted electronically to Miguel Atuesta (matuesta@usaid.gov) with a copy to Heather Wirick (hwirick@usaid.gov). Responses to this RFI will be accepted through the date and time indicated above. You will receive only an electronic confirmation acknowledging receipt of your response, but will not receive individualized feedback or suggestions. No basis for claims against the U.S. Government shall arise as a result of a response to this RFI or from the U.S. Government’s use of such information. Specific questions about this RFI should be directed only to the email addresses identified above.

This RFI can be downloaded from www.beta.sam.gov. Interested parties who are not able to retrieve the RFI from the Internet can request a copy from matuesta@usaid.gov. Please note that release of this RFI in no way obligates USAID to release an RFP or RFA for this proposed activity. Although the term “contractor” may be used in this RFI, no determination regarding choice of instrument has been made. FAR Clause 52.215-3 REQUEST FOR INFORMATION OR SOLICITATION FOR PLANNING PURPOSES (OCT 1997) is attached and made part of this RFI. USAID is not responsible for any costs incurred in responding to this RFI.

Thank you for your interest in USAID/Colombia programs and we look forward to your comments.

Best regards

Heather Wirick Contracting/Agreement Officer USAID/Colombia mailto:hwirick@usaid.gov http://www.beta.sam.gov/

ATTACHMENT A

Concept for the Proposed Venezuela Response and Integration (VRI) Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract and Its Initial Task Order (TO), Migration Management

ANTICIPATED ACTIVITY NAME: Migration Management Activity ANTICIPATED MECHANISM TYPE: Acquisition - Initial Task Order under the proposed single holder “Venezuela Response and Integration (VRI) Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract” ANTICIPATED TOTAL BUDGET: $36 - 40 million for the initial TO (Full VRI IDIQ up to $160 million)

ANTICIPATED TIMEFRAME: Q2 FY21 - Q1 FY26

BACKGROUND

Colombia has absorbed 1.8 million Venezuelans and approximately 500,000 returned Colombians since 2015. Receptor communities have struggled to accommodate migrants, who have strained public services and social cohesion. The Colombian Government’s competing priorities, including peace implementation and record coca numbers, have limited public resources for migrants and the communities that have welcomed them. In the last month, COVID-19 has brought many receptor communities to a breaking point and exacerbated already rising xenophobia.

Colombia’s self-reliance depends on its ability to be resilient to shocks and secure peace and stability to all regions. Particularly in receptor communities in urban areas and border towns, the influx of migrants is rocking the economy and education and health systems, which COVID-19 has intensified given migrants’ particular vulnerability to the disease.

Receptor communities also are plagued by illicit actors and economies that threaten civilian security and recruit vulnerable migrants. Only by strengthening the national and sub-national government's response to migrants, resiliency, and social cohesion will Colombia be able to stay the course in its Journey to Self-Reliance, even as it experiences unprecedented shocks.

Venezuela Response and Integration Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity Contract and Task Orders The Venezuela Response and Integration (VRI) Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract will help Colombia respond to the social, political, and economic disruption caused by sustained mass migration from Venezuela. The VRI IDIQ aims to increase socio-economic integration by strengthening public systems and economic opportunities in migrant receptor communities. VRI IDIQ Task Orders (TOs) will assist the Colombian Government—at the national and local levels— develop and implement a sustainable, comprehensive approach to respond effectively to the mass migration from Venezuela, as well as help the Colombian Government utilize their resources more effectively and efficiently to meet the needs of migrants and their host communities.

VRI IDIQ TOs could cover a wide range of activities related to health, youth, livelihoods, education, citizen security, infrastructure, and economic opportunities within Colombia and potentially Venezuela. Each TO will maximize flexibility and innovation by including a rapid response fund. Future TOs could also provide flexibility to adapt to new unforeseen challenges, through surge activities or employing innovative approaches.

The initial VRI IDIQ TO, Migration Management, (concept described in detail below) would support the national-level policy framework needed to formalize migrants, build local government capacity to meet receptor community needs, and counter xenophobia. Migration Management will help create the legislative and administrative framework and eliminate barriers to carry out subsequent VRI IDIQ TOs that strengthen economic opportunities and health and education services.

Future TO(s) could focus on economic inclusion for migrants and Colombian returnees with the goal of generating economic opportunities for beneficiaries in receptor communities.

Illustrative interventions under this TO could include: 1) Engage the private sector and Colombian Government to reduce bottlenecks in the labor market and effectively link the growing supply of workers with demand; 2) Support the Colombian Government’s efforts to streamline degree accreditation, provide demand-driven workforce training and certification of skills, enforce labor rights, and expand the National Employment Agency’s capacity; and

3) Support private sector efforts to incorporate migrants into their labor force, provide business development services, and expand access to financial services. Financial incentives could be utilized to increase the private sector’s engagement and investment in migrant receptor communities and catalyze migrant economic inclusion.

TOs could leverage transformational alliances with the public and private sector, many of which have been cultivated through past USAID/Colombia activities. In particular, the private sector would be an essential partner in providing economic and social opportunities for migrants, as they have been in bringing private investment to peace geographies in the Mission’s existing Global Development Alliances.

Local partners are also envisioned to contribute to IDIQ TO implementation and success.

The IDIQ anticipates significant participation of local organizations through sub-grants and subcontracts. Building on current programming with local partners, the IDIQ would seek and sustain partnerships with local organizations, including Venezuelan-led organizations ranging from sophisticated national civil society organizations to grassroots indigenous groups. To sustainably increase local capacity, TOs would also provide assistance to local institutions and organizations to provide services to migrants and build resiliency to withstand shock events, such as COVID-19.

Migration Management Activity TO Justification This Activity’s purpose is to build the Colombian Government’s migration management capacity to document and track migrants and refer them to municipal level services, and to promote social integration and acceptance of migrants. This Activity requires developing plans, policies, and processes related to border management by the national government -particularly Migración Colombia, Cancillería de la República de Colombia, and Gerencia de Fronteras1 - and related to service delivery by subnational governments - particularly municipal governments.

This Activity will help create the legislative and administrative framework to carry out subsequent VRI IDIQ TOs that strengthen economic opportunities and health and education services, but will focus primarily on the governance side of improved service delivery. In order to ensure a holistic and comprehensive response to the migration crisis, this Activity will not only address enhanced documentation and service provision, but also focus on

1 Migration Colombia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Border Management Unit socially and economically integrating migrants in receptor communities (including addressing xenophobia).

Development Hypothesis IF the National Colombian Government can document and track all migrants and subnational governments increase their administrative capacity to absorb receptor community members into services, while society reduces xenophobia toward migrants, THEN receptor communities will achieve social inclusion and stability.

Migration Management Activity Conceptual Framework

This Activity’s conceptual framework targets governance shortcomings along the migration route, which takes migrants first across the border and then to receptor communities. As such, this activity targets interventions toward improved border management and receptor community access to services. To strengthen the eventual stability and social inclusion in receptor communities, the Activity concurrently reduces xenophobia.

Target 1: Document all immigrants by 2025

Objective 1: Increase the national government’s capacity to track and document migrants entering Colombia Intermediate Result (IR) 1.1: Government policies, legislation, and processes defined and advocated for to document migrants.

● Define institutional roles and authority for Migración Colombia, Cancillería de la República de Colombia, and Gerencia de Fronteras.

● Work with Colombia’s Legislative Assembly to improve migration-related legislation.

IR 1.2: Strengthened implementation capacity for Migración Colombia, Cancillería de la República de Colombia, and Gerencia de Fronteras.

● Train government staff on institutional roles (change management).

● Support the government in all phases of registering, documenting, and issuing of identification to migrants.

● Provide technical assistance to Migración, Cancillería, and Agencia Frontera on migration-related policy, process, and systems development.

● Help the government implement policies and processes that link migrants, through referral systems, to service delivery actors.

IR 1.3: Enhanced government capacity to create and utilize data management systems to track migrants.

● Provide technical capacity to Migración Colombia, Cancillería de la República de Colombia, and Gerencia de Fronteras to effectively collect and manage border-management data.

IR 1.4: Improved migrant awareness of border management and service delivery policies and processes.

● Create online service maps and one-stop shops to register and refer migrants to information and services, such as health care, schooling, documentation, and justice and labor services. This would build off the Colombian Government’s experience in these areas.2

Target 2: Subnational governments deliver applicable services to all migrants and returnees.

Objective 2: Enhanced subnational government capacity to provide migrants access to quality services IR 2.1: Policies, planning, and budgeting improved to expand services for migrants and returnees.

● Support municipal governments’ public administration develop and implement policies and processes to enable municipalities to effectively deliver, track, and manage responsive and inclusive services.

● Improve municipal government staff awareness of service delivery roles and authority.

● Develop municipal development plans and budgets to cover migration-related costs and services delivery expenses.

2 For example, the Colombian Government set up Victims Unit Regional Attention centers (UARIV) with representatives among many government ministries and agencies to attend to victims. https://www.unidadvictimas.gov.co/es/servicio-al-ciudadano/centros-regionales/43314 https://www.unidadvictimas.gov.co/es/servicio-al-ciudadano/centros-regionales/43314 https://www.unidadvictimas.gov.co/es/servicio-al-ciudadano/centros-regionales/43314

● Help municipal governments mobilize resources for service delivery and infrastructure, including taxation policies.

IR 2.2: Improved technical capacity to provide targeted migration-related services.3

● Provide technical assistance on security, urban planning, and urban development programs.

IR 2.3: Improved migrant awareness of relevant service-related policies and processes.

● Develop a communication strategy to inform migrants of their rights to services.

IR 2.4: Subnational government-led engagement spaces both opened and utilized.

● Develop spaces for migrants, the private sector, and other community actors to better inform service planning and promote accountability.

Target 3: Unfavorable perception trends toward migrants reversed by 2025

Objective 3: Reduced xenophobia toward migrants IR 3.1: Social Behavior Change Communications methodologies implemented at local levels.

● Launch sensitivity campaigns informed by local analyses of socio-cultural norms to reduce xenophobia and negative stereotypes of migrants.

● Leverage social media platforms and other media tools to promote cultural inclusion and dispel misinformation in receptor communities.

IR 3.2: Migrants and returnees informed on civic norms and responsibilities.

● Use local public spaces and services as vehicles for delivering key messages and incentivizing civic behavior.

IR 3.3: Joint activities implemented among migration-related stakeholders that promote anti-discrimination.

● Plan activities - based on the community’s context - among local leaders, the private sector, and migration-related stakeholders that reduce discrimination.

GEOGRAPHIC AND POPULATION TARGETING

VRI IDIQ TOs will target receptor communities in Colombia with the highest migrant populations. This includes primarily sedentary migrants but also some transient migrants. The map below from Migración Colombia (30 Dec 2019) demonstrates where the highest percentages of these populations have settled. Generally, this activity will target interventions for migrants, which include all migrants whether Venezuelan, Colombian, or any other nationality. However, interventions related to service provision, such as urban planning are meant to benefit receptor communities more generally. TOs are meant to benefit the most vulnerable migrant populations in receptor communities, including women, children, LGBTI individuals, disabled and homeless, however as the Migration Management Activity uses a governance-systems strengthening approach, no particular population is targeted.

3 This does not include health or education services, which will be covered in other activities or subsequent task orders within this IDIQ.

RISKS AND ASSUMPTIONS

Assumptions

● There will be no major political changes inside of Venezuela and migration will continue.

● Migration will continue into areas with criminal groups.

● New migrant arrivals will have lower levels of education than first generation arrivals.

● The Government’s capacity to manage migration will remain limited in the near-term.

● The Colombian Government will make no major policy shifts in providing protective status to migrants.

● The security situation in receptor communities will allow for activity implementation.

Risks

● Xenophobia toward Venezuelans in receptor communities will grow more rapidly than expected.

● Politicians, and other national or receptor community actors, will increasingly scapegoat Venezuelans for crime and other societal ills.

● Politicians in the presidential election will begin campaigns to restrict migration and limit the rights of migrants.

● Colombia’s economy will experience a downturn, affecting the private sector and financial sector’s willingness to integrate Venezuelans into local labor markets.

● Migrants, including pendular populations, returning to Venezuela due to the COVID-

19 pandemic.

ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT

The VRI IDIQ and TOs will utilize Rapid Response Funds to address risks and increase flexibility. It will also use USAID Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) approaches to apply learning over time to activity implementation. For the Migration Management

Activity, pilot sub-activities are envisioned to test the theory of change, however, will be decided with the implementing partner or partners. Furthermore, the Migration Management Activity will consider feedback and new information that emerges from Result 2’s engagement spaces to develop and implement best practices, as well as from other USAID activities. The VRI IDIQ will also focus on potential future interventions that support USAID Colombia Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) Venezuela Objectives, which could potentially cover issues related to health, youth, livelihoods, education, citizen security, infrastructure, and economic opportunities, among others.

OPERATIONAL PRINCIPLES

These operational principles reflect important tenets of USAID’s commitment to assisting partner countries on their journey to self-reliance and will guide all programming under this Activity.

● “One team” unified approach: the prime, subcontractors, sub-grantees, and partners will operate as a single, collective unit, seamlessly integrating technical objectives, planning, coordination, implementation, and budgeting.

● Leverage a systems approach: Since Colombia is a complex, multi-dimensional, and fluid operating environment, it will be critical to analyze and plan all interventions based on a deep understanding of the various components of the systems in which they will work, as well as how they interact, affect each other, and produce effects.

Programming must seek to approach elements in the system that can create positive catalytic effects that sustain and expand naturally after the life of the Activity, not just looking at the roles of different actors.

● Place-based approach: In support of USAID/Colombia’s overarching strategies, all programs functioning in these spaces and targeted geographies will be required to coordinate efforts and focus on providing integrated, comprehensive support to Venezuelans and Colombians.

● Inclusive, differentiated approach: Support population groups and households in conditions of vulnerability by engaging them throughout Activity implementation, fostering their abilities as resilient agents of their own change, enhancing their aspirations, responding to their specific needs, and strengthening their ability to access resources and services.

● Local ownership and leadership: Local ownership and leadership should underpin all the Activity’s engagements with Colombian Government actors (particularly receptor community municipal authorities), civil society, the private sector, and other Colombian and Venezuelan stakeholders. Locally-led programming is more context relevant, tailored, and sustainable and empowers local stakeholders on their journey to self-reliance.

● Community-led development: Through dialogue, support communities to identify, develop, and implement priority actions that address core challenges and opportunities.

● Maintain a flexible, iterative approach that embraces collaboration, learning and adapting (CLA): This Activity should remain flexible and be ready to adapt to changes on the ground due to the volatile and dynamic nature of the operating environment. This will require the robust integration of USAID’s (CLA) principles throughout planning and implementation.

https://usaidlearninglab.org/cla-toolkit

● “Do no harm” approach: It is also important to recognize that interventions in receptor communities may risk exacerbating existing discriminatory and xenophobic behavior against migrants.

● Leverage private sector investment: The private sector brings special resources, skills and capacities to the table that can augment the impact of USAID interventions when strategically aligned.

● Harness innovation: Innovation can come in different forms. Many think of technological innovations, but innovations can also come in the form of new creative approaches or new intervention ideas for piloting and testing.

● Sustainability: While the above principles will enhance sustainability, it is important to note that other strategies and approaches to strengthen sustainability will need to be integrated into every aspect of the program. Sustainability will be viewed as a multidimensional concept that includes financial viability, institutional and political incentives, perceptions and attitudes about migrants, Colombian returnees, civil society and government, among other dimensions.

LEVERAGING, COLLABORATING AND PARTNERSHIPS

The Activity will complement ongoing and future USG investments, collaborating actively with each other and with relevant ministries and/or government agencies, private sector actors, civil society, local governments, other donors, and key stakeholders. The Activity will work closely with other USG investments to build on existing successes and scale up the reach of proven impactful strategies. Structured and opportunistic collaboration with USAID/Colombia’s related activities will also be important for joint learning and impact, aligning approaches, avoiding duplication of effort, and consistent messaging to Colombian and other counterparts.

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION

The Activity will operate in a very complex, fluid environment. Communities face a myriad context-specific social, political, economic, and security issues, and a multiplicity of actors operating in their territory: Colombian Government, USAID and other donors, humanitarian relief organizations, and other international NGOs. For effective implementation, the VRI IDIQ and TOs will coordinate and learn from the best practices of Colombian Government, United States Government, USAID, and donor activities. Other donor-supported activities must be mapped to ensure complementarity and avoid duplication. The Activity should work side-by-side with national, regional and municipal authorities over the life of the Activity to strengthen their ability to take leadership for ensuring that all development actors active in their community are working in harmony and supporting locally-defined priorities.

ALIGNMENT WITH USAID/COLOMBIA STRATEGIES

The VRI IDIQ and TOs will support USAID/Colombia strategies, including its CDCS and Venezuela specific objectives.

INDUSTRY DAYS

USAID/Colombia may or may not choose to host an Industry Day to meet with potential offerors either virtually or in Bogota, Colombia (venue and date to be confirmed). Such discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements.

[END OF RFI 72051420RFI00005]